Gabourey Sidibe

One film was all it took to turn Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe's life into a cinematic Cinderella story. As the star of "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" (2009), Sidibe's Oscar-nominated perfo...
Read More...

Have you ever wondered what some of Hollywood's most popular stars looked like before they landed their biggest (or at least, one of their biggest) roles? We were curious. I mean, you're telling us there are just videos out there of people like Rachel McAdams and Miley Cyrus before they were household names? Sign us up, we're ready to watch! And we bet you are too.
1. Matthew McConaughey reading for David Wooderson in Dazed and Confused:
YouTube
2. Jason Momoa reading for Khal Drogo in Game Of Thones:
youtube.com
3. Rachel McAdams reading for Allie in The Notebook:
youtube.com
4. Emma Stone reading for Olive in Easy A:
youtube.com
5. Selena Gomez reading for Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place:
youtube.com
6. Steve Carell reading for Brick in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy:
youtube.com
7. Megan Fox reading for Mikaela in Transformers:
youtube.com
8. Blake Lively reading for Serena in Gossip Girl:
youtube.com
9. Lea Michele reading for Rachel in Glee:
youtube.com
10. Miley Cyrus reading for "Zoey," the original best friend created for Hannah Montana:
youtube.com
11. Scarlett Johansson reading for Judy Shepard in Jumanji:
youtube.com
12. Robert De Niro reading for Sonny Corleone in The Godfather:
youtube.com
13. Demi Lovato reading for Sonny in Sonny With A Chance:
youtube.com
14. Gabourey Sidibe reading for Precious in Precious:
youtube.com
15. Jennifer Garner reading for Elektra in Daredevil:
youtube.com
Who had your favorite audition tape? Tweet us if you think they did or didn't deserve the role!
Follow @hollywood_com | Follow @analuisasrz
//

FX's creepist show is back with an all new season and things look freakier than ever. American Horror Story: Freak Show is the fourth season of this popular television series but the first time we get to see the freak flag fly. We think it would be pretty kick-ass to exist in at least one of the AHS worlds.
1. Even if she was your enemy and hated you, life is only worth living if you know Fiona Goode.
GIPHY/FX
2. You would totally hangout at Briarcliff if Sister Jude was still the one in charge.
GIPHY/FX
3. In the AHS world, this is a normal and valid apology. And who doesn't wish apologies were so easy?
GIPHY/FX
4. People get to make punny witch lines whenever they please, so long as they don't annoy the Supreme.
GIPHY/FX
5. Being a maid isn't such a terrible thing if you live in an AHS universe.
GIPHY/FX
6. Except when you're old again.
FX/GIPHY
7. If you have a beard and you're a lady, you'll fit right in.
GIPHY/FX
8. Or if you've ever been called a freak, this is this place to be.
FX/GIPHY
9. If terrifying is your "thing," then you obviously belong on AHS.
FX/digg.tumblr.com
10. Everyone lives a very open and honest* life.
GIPHY/FX
*Okay, not really honest. But they're all pretty open.
11. If you hate the "happy family" facade some people create, you won't be alone.
FX/GIPHY
12. You can try the weirdest fashion trends out there and then you can tell people to F-Off if they don't like it.
FX/GIPHY
13. People say bullshit all the time. It's liberating.
GIPHY/FX
FX/GIPHY
GIPHY/FX
14. If you ever want to get away with something, you can just pretend to be a doctor. No one will question it.
GIPHY/FX
15. And most importantly, if someone pisses you off, it's totally cool to just light them on fire in front of everyone else.
FX/GIPHY
Why do you wish you were on American Horror Story? Tweet us your answers!
Follow @hollywood_com | Follow @analuisasrz
//

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is relaunching her acting career with a new role in Lee Daniels' forthcoming TV drama Empire. The British beauty has landed a major recurring role in the hip-hop focused series, which features Taraji P. Henson as the ex-wife of rap label boss Lucious Lyon, played by her Hustle & Flow co-star Terrence Howard.
Campbell will portray Camilla, a woman involved in a steamy affair with the potential heir to Lyon's business empire, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Daniels, who will make his TV directing debut with the show, says, "Naomi is a beautiful actress. Underrated in my mind. She will be wonderful as Camilla. I am truly thrilled to have one of my close friends join us."
In a statement, Campbell adds, "It's an honor to follow in the footsteps of actresses like Halle Berry, Oprah, Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, and work with Lee Daniels. I'm looking forward to joining Lee and this amazing cast on set."
Empire is set to debut in the U.S. early next year (15).
Campbell's last acting credit came in 2009 in Indian drama Karma, Confessions and Holi.

Patti Labelle has signed on to join the cast for the new season of TV hit American Horror Story. She will appear in four episodes of Glee creator Ryan Murphy's spooky show, titled Freak Show.
The period drama will feature previous American Horror Story stars Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Gabourey Sidibe and Evan Peters, while Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley and John Carroll Lynch have also joined the cast for the third season.
American Horror Story: Freak Show debuts on U.S. TV screens in October (14).

Residents of British port town Grimsby have taken aim at comedian Sacha Baron Cohen over his depiction of the place as a run-down, garbage-strewn wasteland in his new spy caper, also called Grimsby.
Early footage from the film, which is currently being shot just outside London, has upset Grimsby locals because it appears the Borat star is keen to play down the town as a dump populated by drunks.
Photos from the set appear to show characters urinating out of windows, drunks passed out on benches and mothers offering cans of beer to children on the street, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
One local tells local newspaper The Grimsby Telegraph, "I've lived here all my life. It's an up-and-coming area, and I'm not pleased that this is the way the world will get their first and maybe only look at Grimsby."
The film features Baron Cohen, his wife Isla Fisher, Gabourey Sidibe, Penelope Cruz, Rebel Wilson and Mark Strong. Grimsby will hit cinemas next year (15).

WENN
Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe has reportedly been approached to portray late singer/actress Nell Carter in a new TV biopic.
The Precious actress is said to be HBO network bosses' top choice to bring the Gimme a Break! star's life to the small screen in a planned movie, which will document Carter's cocaine addiction, her two divorces, her bisexuality and her many health problems, which led to her death from heart disease complicated by diabetes in 2003, according to the National Enquirer.
A source tells the publication, "Nell was excellent at physical comedy and could deliver a quip with drop-dead hilarity - and she had a stunning voice. Gabby has some pretty good pipes of her own."
Official details about the project have yet to be announced.

Splash News
Actress Isla Fisher is set to join her husband Sacha Baron Cohen in new comedy Grimsby.
The Great Gatsby star will join Cohen, Rebel Wilson and Gabourey Sidibe in the movie about a British spy who is forced to go on the run and team up with his soccer star brother, according to TheWrap.com.
The project, which begins production this summer (14), also reunites Fisher with her Now You See Me director Louis Leterrier. Cohen is among the several producers.

Getty Images/Paul Marotta
Meryl Streep, National Board of Review Awards
Back in January, Streep presented the best actress award to Emma Thompson and her introduction would go down as the biggest, most public diss of Walt Disney. But the strong words she spoke about her friend were just as memorable.
Highlight of the Speech:Emma considers carefully what the f**k she is putting out into the culture! Emma thinks, "Is this helpful?" Not, "Will it build my brand?" Not, "Will it give me billions?" Not, "Does this express me? Me! Me! My unique and fabulous self, into all eternity, in every universe, for all time!" That's a phrase from my Disney contract. I'm serious! "Will I get a sequel out of it, or a boat? Or a perfume contract?" (Read the full speech here.)
Lesson Learned: There's something to be said for actors and artists who are legitimately concerned with their craft and the stories behind the work they're doing. In a pop culture, celebrity-obsessed world that celebrates the brand, it's important to celebrate people like Thompson as well.
Lupita Nyong'o, Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
In February Nyong'o accepted the Best Breakthrough Performance Award at Essence Magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. Instead of speaking merely from her own heart, she spoke from the heart of a fan who'd sent her a powerful and heartbreaking letter.
Highlight of the Speech: "Dear Lupita," it reads, "I think you’re really lucky to be this Black but yet this successful in Hollywood overnight. I was just about to buy Dencia’s Whitenicious cream to lighten my skin when you appeared on the world map and saved me." I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin...my mother again would say to me, "You can’t eat beauty. It doesn’t feed you."... And what my mother meant when she said you can’t eat beauty was that you can’t rely on how you look to sustain you. What does sustain us... what is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul. It is what got Patsey in so much trouble with her master, but it is also what has kept her story alive to this day. We remember the beauty of her spirit even after the beauty of her body has faded away. (Read the full speech here.)
Lesson Learned: It's wonderful that we are embracing Lupita Nyong'o's beauty, and that we're expanding the concept of beauty itself. And it's wonderful that a young girl can look at Nyong'o and choose to embrace her own skin color. But it's also important that we teach people that who you are at your core (call it essence, or spirit, or personality) is something more powerful, more memorable, and more lasting than physical appearance.
Amy Schumer, Ms. Foundation for Women Gloria Awards and Gala
In a hilariously NSFW speech the comedian opened up about an awkward sexual encounter that could have been more traumatic, were it not for her sense of humor. She spoke about turning that moment into an empowering instance of change.
Highlight of the Speech: I can be reduced to that lost college freshman so quickly sometimes, I want to quit. Not performing, but being a woman altogether. I want to throw my hands in the air, after reading a mean Twitter comment, and say, "All right! You got it. You figured me out. I'm not pretty. I'm not thin. I do not deserve to use my voice. I'll start wearing a burqa and start waiting tables at a pancake house. All my self-worth is based on what you can see." But then I think, F**k that. I am not laying in that freshman year bed anymore ever again. I am a woman with thoughts and questions and s**t to say. I say if I'm beautiful. I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story — I will. I will speak and share and f**k and love and I will never apologize to the frightened millions who resent that they never had it in them to do it. I stand here and I am amazing, for you. Not because of you. I am not who I sleep with. I am not my weight. I am not my mother. I am myself. And I am all of you, and I thank you. (Read the full speech here.)
Lesson Learned: First of all, we should all stop being hateful towards people (yes, even celebrity people) on Twitter. And secondly, sometimes you have to get out of that freshman year bed, dust yourself off, stop apologizing, and go be your incredible self.
Gabourey Sidibe, Ms. Foundation for Women Gloria Awards and Gala
In another fantastic speech about confidence, Sidibe did what few of us expected her to do and actually admitted to being "an a**hole" in school. But in admitting to her flaws she also exposed the flaws of an entire industry that repeatedly asks her (and not someone like Rihanna) "How are you so confident?"
Highlight of the Speech: I was a snob. I thought I was better than the kids in my class, and I let them know it. That's why they didn't like me. I think the reason I thought so highly of myself all the time was because no one else ever did... Sometimes when I'm being interviewed by a fashion reporter, I can see it in her eyes, "How is she getting away with this? Why is she so confident? How does she deal with that body? Oh my God, I'm going to catch fat!" What I would say, is my mom moved my brother and I to my aunt's house. Her name is Dorothy Pitman Hughes, she is a feminist, an activist, and a lifelong friend of Gloria Steinem. Every day, I had to get up and go to school where everyone made fun of me, and I had to go home to where everyone made fun of me... In the morning on the way out to the world, I passed by a portrait of my aunt and Gloria together. Side by side they stood, one with long beautiful hair and one with the most beautiful, round, Afro hair I had ever seen, both with their fists held high in the air. Powerful. Confident. And every day as I would leave the house... I would give that photo a fist right back. And I'd march off into battle. [She starts crying] I didn't know that I was being inspired then. (Read the full speech here.)
Lesson Learned: It's not always the direct influence of a person, but sometimes it's something simpler — a photo, an image, an idea you hear about — that changes your life and changes your way of looking at things.
Follow @Hollywood_com Follow @shannonmhouston
//

FOX Broadcasting
When Fox announced that they were dropping the standard pilot-season model of developing new TV shows; it earned them a great deal of attention from fans and critics. So when they unveiled their Fall 2014-2015 schedule, everyone's focus went straight to the slate of new shows premiering in the next few months — after all, they have to be good if Fox is willing to gamble on a brand new way of doing things. In certain cases, it seems like the gamble might just have paid off — you can't go wrong with Batman or British remakes, right? - but others seem like they'll only rub salt in the wound of recent cancellations.
We've run down all of Fox's upcoming series in order to predict which ones will live up to the hype and be worth your time come fall. Although sadly, none of them seem likely to fill the Enlisted-shaped hole in our hearts.
Gotham What It Is: DramaWhat It's About: Following Det. Jim Gordon and the Gotham City Police Department as they deal with the crime and corruption that plagues the city, and Gordon attempts to find Who's In It: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee and Jada Pinkett-SmithWhat It Sounds Like: It's basically Batman, minus Batman himself. How Good Will It Be: Based on the first trailer for the show, it looks like it could be exciting and gritty, although tiny Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle do make us a bit wary. Still, it's got a talented cast on board, so if the show can keep the visuals and story interesting, it could be surprisingly good. How Long It Will Last: At least two seasons. Fox has thrown a lot of support behind Gotham, so they won't let it go easily.
UtopiaWhat It Is: Reality showWhat It's About: 15 people move to an isolated, undeveloped location for a year and attempt to build their own society from scratch. Who's In It: No word yet, but they have to be crazy if they're willing to sign up for this. What It Sounds Like: Big Brother meets Survivor, with a dash of Kid Nation. How Good Will It Be: It depends entirely on the cast, but our best bet is that it will either be outright terrible, or horrifically entertaining. How Long It Will Last: Unfortunately, it will probably run for ten years.
Red Band SocietyWhat It Is: Drama What It's About: A coming-of-age story set in the pediatric ward of a hospital that follows a group of patients as they grow, bond, and battle illnesses. Who's In It: Octavia Spencer, Griffin Gluck, Charlie Rowe, Dave Annable, Brian Bradley aka Astro, Ciara Bravo and Zoe LevinWhat It Sounds Like: One Tree Hill meets Grey's Anatomy, except only one person is in a coma. How Good Will It Be: Spencer is generally the best part of everything she does, but even she might not be enough to make the many elements of this show — comedy, drama, tear-jerking moments of triumph, general teenage drama, hospital administration — blend well together. How Long It Will Last: About a season. Even if it is good, it will probably struggle to find an audience.
GracepointWhat It Is: Drama What It's About: Based on the British series Broadchurch, it centers on a small town and the murder that upends the lives of all of its residents. Who's In It: David Tennant, Anna Gunn, Michael Peña, Jacki Weaver, Kevin Zegers and Jessica LucasWhat It Sounds Like: It's literally just Broadchurch with Tennant doing an American accent. How Good Will It Be: A lot depends on how much they take from the original, but since that was such a good series and they've got a fantastic cast on board, things look good for Gracepoint. How Long It Will Last: At least three seasons, regardless of how closely it hews to the original.
Backstrom What It Is: Drama What It's About: A crime procedural about an obnoxious and offensive, but brilliant detective who is brought back from exile to run the special crimes unit. Who's In It: Rainn Wilson, Dennis Haysbert, Thomas Dekker, Beatrice Rosen and Kristoffer PolahaWhat It Sounds Like: Every other "rogue cop" procedural that's hit the air in the last few year, but with Dwight from The OfficeHow Good Will It Be: It has a pretty decent cast, but the premise is something we've seen before many times, with varying levels of success, so there's a lot against it. A lot is riding on Wilson, although it's his first real foray into drama, which also doesn't bode well. How Long It Will Last: Like almost every other crime procedural premiering this fall, it will probably be canceled within the year.
Mulaney What It Is: SitcomWhat It's About: An aspiring stand-up comic gets a job writing jokes for a narcissistic comedian and game show host, which causes conflict between him and his two best friends and roommates. Who's In It: John Mulaney, Martin Short, Nasim Pedrad, Seaton Smith and Elliott GouldWhat It Sounds Like: Seinfeld meets New Girl, with a touch of 30 Rock How Good Will It Be: The cast is fantastic, but multi-cam sitcoms can be pretty hit or miss, and this one was dropped by NBC and then reworked before FOX picks it up. However, the combination of SNL alums and comic legends means this one will probably be one of your new favorite shows. How Long It Will Last: Sunday night at 9:30 is a tough slot, but we think this one will scrape its way to a second season.
FOX Broadcasting
EmpireWhat It Is: Drama What It's About: It follows Lucious Lyon, the head of a major hip hop record label and the ex-wife and family who are competing to take over the family business. Who's In It: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Gabourey Sidibe, Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers and Kaitlin DoubledayWhat It Sounds Like: Hustle and Flow meets Nashville How Good Will It Be: Empire has a lot of big-name talent behind it - in addition to the Oscar-nominated cast, it was created by Lee Daniels and written by Danny Strong — but it seems like the kind of show that would fare better on cable, so it might end up being a little lackluster. How Long It Will Last: Well, Nashville got three seasons, so we're predicting Empire will get the same.
Hieroglyph What It Is: Drama What It's About: After he gets caught stealing a magic scroll, a thief is brought to work for the Pharaoh, only to discover that court might be more dangerous than prison. Who's In It: Max Brown, Reece Ritchie, Condola Rashad, Caroline Ford and John Rhys-DaviesWhat It Sounds Like: Game of Thrones meets Sleepy Hollow, set in Ancient Egypt. How Good Will It Be: It's written by Travis Beacham, who wrote Pacific Rim, so it could turn out to be entertaining and campy. However, it's completely ridiculous-sounding, so the odds are against it. How Long It Will Last: Unless it manages to pull in a devoted audience like Sleepy Hollow, probably only one season.
Wayward Pines What It Is: Drama What It's About: An idyllic American town... that you can never leave. Who's In It: Matt Dillon, Carla Gugino, Melissa Leo, Tobey Jones, Juliette Lewis and Terrence HowardWhat It Sounds Like: The Stepford Wives meets The Twilight Zone How Good Will It Be: On the one hand, it's got an impressive A-List cast. On the other, it's executive-produced by M. Night Shamylan, so we're hoping it will be good, but expecting it to be terrible. How Long It Will Last: The Shamylan outrage will bring attention to it, resulting in it just barely earning a second season.
Bordertown What It Is: Animated sitcomWhat It's About: Set on a town that borders the US and Mexico, it follows two families as they navigate life, relationships and politics. Who's In It: Alex Borstein, Nicholas Gonzalez, Judah Friedlander, Missi Pyle and Efren RamirezWhat It Sounds Like: American Dad meets The Cleveland ShowHow Good Will It Be: The last time Seth MacFarlane made a show about racial and family dynamics, we got Dads, so we're not optimistic. How Long It Will Last: 5 years at a minimum
Last Man on Earth What It Is: SitcomWhat It's About: After an apocalypse wipes out all of humanity except one man, he wanders the earth looking for other survivors. Who's In It: Will ForteWhat It Sounds Like: Zombieland, minus the other peopleHow Good Will It Be: Forte is hilarious, and his recent dramatic turn in Nebraska will probably serve him well, but it's hard to see how this concept will last longer than one episode. How Long It Will Last: It's a quirky comedy from an SNL alum that isn't Amy Poehler, Tina Fey or Jimmy Fallon. It'll get a year if we're lucky.
Weird LonersWhat It Is: SitcomWhat It's About: Four relationship-phobic weirdoes find each other living next door to one another in a New York apartment. Who's In It: Becky Newton, Zachary Knighton, Nate Torrence and Meera KhumbhaniWhat It Sounds Like: New Girl meets Happy Endings, minus Damon Wayans Jr. How Good Will It Be: The cast is made up of actors who have primarily played the "best friend" role in comedies, so it could be the showcase they need to establish themselves as leading actors. However, the premise seems like a re-tread of most post-Friends comedies, with some forced "quirk," so we don't see things going well. How Long It Will Last: Three out of four actors were on shows that were cancelled relatively soon, so we'd be surprised if this one made it to a second season.
Follow @hollywood_com
Follow @julesemm

Duly Noted/Homegrown Pictures
Last year was celebrated as one of the biggest years in black cinema, if not the biggest. Such a year (with films like Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, and 42) culminated with 12 Years A Slave taking home the Academy Award for Best Picture. And now that 2014 is offically underway, one wonders if we can expect another big year for black films and black directors. Will there be room for more than just one film about the black experience at next year's Oscars?
Well the good news is that there are a number of exciting new projects set for a 2014 release. Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler will team up with Michael B. Jordan again for the movie Creed (a quasi-Rocky spinoff), and Spike Lee's highly-anticipated Da Sweet Blood of Jesus has completed filming and is set for a 2014 release. Although Oldboy flopped and his 2012 film Red Hook Summer left much to be desired, many of us still can't resist a good ol' Spike Lee joint.
One film that's also been getting lots of buzz is Justin Simien's feature debut Dear White People. First off, amazing title. And secondly, the film snagged Sundance Film Festival's Special Jury Prize for Breakthrough Talent this year and their trailers and clips pretty hilarious:
Belles is another film we're excited about. The period piece, set in 18th century England, tells the complex story of mix-raced young woman raised in nobility. Amma Asante will direct the movie (her second feature film), inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle.
And although there is no release date yet for the new Lee Daniels movie (featuring the first gay action hero, played by Alex Pettyfer), the follow-up project to last year's The Butler has us plenty excited (along with his upcoming Janis Joplin biopic with Amy Adams). This year Daniels will also team up with his Precious lead Gabourey Sidibe again, along with Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson for a new FOX television series Empire.
Many other directors of color are on the rise this year and it's definitely a good thing. Here's hoping critics and audiences take note and embrace some of these great talents and their upcoming work.
Follow @Hollywood_com Follow @shannonmhouston
//

Title

Teamed with Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in the ensemble comedy "Tower Heist"

Cast in ensemble crime comedy "Seven Psychopaths"

Nominated for the 2009 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama ("Precious")

Nominated for the 2009 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role ("Precious")

Made feature acting debut in "Precious," the film adaptation of the novel Push by Sapphire; earned Golden Globe, SAG and Oscar nominations for Best Actress

Appeared in college theater productions such as "Peter Pan" and "The Wiz"

Nominated for the 2009 Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role ("Precious")

Nominated for the 2009 Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead ("Precious")

Co-starred opposite Laura Linney on Showtime's "The Big C," about a suburban high school teacher (Linney) diagnosed with a terminal case of skin cancer who decides to turn her life around

Summary

One film was all it took to turn Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe's life into a cinematic Cinderella story. As the star of "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" (2009), Sidibe's Oscar-nominated performance as an obese and illiterate teen impregnated twice by her father, beaten by her mother, and tortured by her schoolmates was raw, gut-wrenching and powerful. The film explored a young woman's pain and struggle to survive without turning her into a victim who has given up hope for a better future. Sidibe rose to the challenge with the sophistication and conviction of a seasoned performer, and with her acting debut, painted Precious as one of the most deeply layered and unforgettable characters ever seen on film.

Name

Role

Comments

Alice Ridley

Mother

Raised daughter alone after she split up with Gabourey's father

Education

Name

Borough of Manhattan Community College

The City College of New York

Mercy College

Notes

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I auditioned. It's just been a weird snowball effect." – Sidibe on her acclaimed performance in "Precious" to Empire magazine, January 2010